Denmark’s Climate Forest Foundation has made its first land purchase, acquiring 93 hectares near Kolding to transform farmland into a large-scale forest in Denmark. The initiative supports biodiversity, safeguards drinking water, and contributes to the national climate strategy.
Kolding Farmland to Become Lush Green Forest in Denmark
In a landmark move for Denmark’s climate policy, the Climate Forest Foundation (Klimaskovfonden) has completed its first land acquisition, purchasing 93 hectares of farmland between the villages of Højrup and Ejstrup, west of the city of Kolding. Equivalent to approximately 130 soccer fields or more than 1,000 suburban yards, the area will now be redeveloped into a thriving forest and natural habitat zone. New trees will soon cover the old farmland.
This transformation marks an important milestone for the foundation, which was established by the Danish government to promote reforestation and peatland restoration as part of the country’s broader climate ambitions. The purchase was made possible through funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and forms part of Denmark’s national Green Tripartite agreement, which fosters cooperation across government, municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The project supports Denmark’s green goals.
Environmental and Climate Benefits
The upcoming reforestation project in the Kolding River Valley (Kolding Ådal) will support several key environmental goals. Planting mixed woodland and creating biodiverse open landscapes will not only enhance local flora and fauna but will also strengthen natural ecosystems that play a role in carbon sequestration. Added benefits include reducing nitrogen runoff into the Kolding Fjord and preserving natural groundwater reservoirs, a critical task in a country where clean drinking water is derived almost entirely from underground sources.
An underground aquifer beneath the reforestation site currently provides up to 66 percent of Kolding’s drinking water. By converting the land to forest, the risk of pesticide and fertilizer contamination from farmland use will be virtually eliminated, offering long-term drinking water protection. EWII Water, the local utility company, has joined the project for this reason, emphasizing its importance in maintaining water quality for the future.
Local Support and Strategic Integration
The project aligns with Kolding Municipality’s biodiversity strategy, which prioritizes connecting fragmented habitats into larger ecosystems. The newly purchased area lies between two river valleys and already has features that support natural life, such as meadows and woodlands. The foundation’s efforts will enhance these areas and ensure they evolve naturally over time. Plans also include adding hiking trails and public access points so that residents can enjoy the revitalized landscape firsthand.
Local officials and residents welcome the project. The new forest in Denmark will offer both recreational value and ecological benefits. It reflects a growing recognition that sustainable land use can produce multiple outcomes: climate mitigation, water protection, and improved quality of life, all within the same footprint.
A Scalable Model for Conservation
This purchase is part of a larger vision by the Climate Forest Foundation to accelerate land-use conversion in Denmark. After the initial establishment phase, the forested land will eventually be sold, and the profits will be reinvested into buying and reforesting new areas. This rotational model ensures a continuous expansion of forests in Denmark land while making efficient use of public and private funding.
In parallel with land acquisition, the foundation continues to offer grants for reforestation on properties owned by individual landowners, municipalities, or other stakeholders. This dual-track approach enables both centralized and decentralized contributions to Denmark’s climate goals.
A Blueprint for a Greener Denmark
The development in Kolding is seen as a prototype for similar projects across the country, creating large, contiguous forest areas that serve ecological, hydrological, and social purposes. As forest coverage expands, the Climate Forest Foundation moves closer to fulfilling its role in Denmark’s ambitious goals for CO₂ reduction and biodiversity conservation.
By setting this project into motion, creating this forest in Denmark, the foundation sends a clear signal that cultivating forests and restoring natural landscapes is not just an environmental imperative but also an opportunity to bring together local communities, government entities, and businesses for a sustainable and livable future.
